Arizona in Brief: Week of Nov. 5, 2017

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Lawmakers on the country’s largest American Indian reservation have shot down a measure to build an aerial tram to take visitors to a riverside boardwalk in the Grand Canyon, with stores, hotels and restaurants above on the East Rim.

The chances of moving forward with the Grand Canyon Escalade project now appear slim. One tribal delegate who voted for it this week says it has no chance with current lawmakers. Developers have not said what they will do next.

The legislation was opposed by environmentalists and outdoor enthusiasts who are trying to keep open spaces wild. At the same time, the Trump administration is moving to free up other federal land for development.

If the tram was approved by the

Navajo Nation, whose reservation borders the East Rim of the Grand Canyon, federal agencies would have had to review it.

Health insurance open enrollment starts in Arizona

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizonans who don’t qualify for Medicaid or get health insurance through their employer have just six weeks to shop on the healthcare.gov website for policies that take effect on Jan. 1.

The enrollment period that started Wednesday is six weeks shorter than last year’s under new Trump Administration rules and ends on Dec. 15. Groups that help people enroll are worried the shortened period and cuts to public outreach and sign-up assistance will lead to fewer people with insurance next year. Plans can be reviewed on the www.healthcare.gov website and people needing assistance can go to www.coveraz.org or call 1-800-377-3536.

University of Arizona health care policy expert Dr. Dan Derksen said in a recent interview that he expects Arizona enrollment to drop by 15 to 20 percent next year from the current 140,000 people. Cuts to advertising efforts and confusion brought about by failed Republican efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.